Nearly 70 million Americans speak another language other than English at home. As the Trump administration begins its second term, questions about the future of language access in the United States are resurfacing. Having covered language access policy at Boostlingo for the past two years, I know first-hand how difficult it is to track and understand this evolving topic. Over the past eight years, multiple revisions and rulings to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have gone into effect. To get a better picture of what might happen to language access over the next four years, we invited someone close to the pulse, language policy lobbyist and advocate Dr. Bill Rivers, to speak with us. This article covers what we learned.
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The Historical Context
During the Trump administration’s first term, the federal government made changes to how language access was handled. In 2020, the administration updated the rules for Section 1557 of the ACA basing these changes on an analysis of the estimated costs of providing notice of language assistance. These updates affected how language assistance requirements were enforced, though the legal obligations set by Congress stayed the same.
However, federal judges and advocacy organizations quickly stepped in to challenge these revisions. While parts of the rollback remained in effect, like providing notice of language assistance and having a language access coordinator, the demand for language services stayed strong and the industry even grew 7% YoY from 2018 to 2019. As Dr. Rivers noted, “America remains a destination for people seeking a better life,” and language services play an important role in integration.
What’s Different This Time?
Unlike in his previous administration, Trump has shifted his focus from repealing the ACA to improving it in ways that aim to lower costs. Dr. Rivers shared that there is now “bipartisan support for language access in the Congress” and pointed out potential legislative action led by Republican offices in California and Texas. For example, recent bipartisan bills introduced in 2024 aim to strengthen language access provisions in healthcare and education, reflecting a growing consensus on the importance of these services.
Additionally, updates to Section 1557 in May of 2024 under the Biden administration have reinforced language access by introducing stricter definitions for qualified language interpreters and translators and human oversight requirements for machine translation in high-stakes contexts.
The Biden administration took another step to protect the new ruling by separating language access from other “culture war issues.” Making it a standalone rule prevents the policy from being entangled in broader, more contentious debates, a challenge faced during the last Trump administration. The 2024 final ruling improves how Section 1557 is applied by offering clear compliance guidelines and adding its own nondiscrimination protections, instead of depending on exemptions from other laws.
Headwinds
The returning Trump administration’s focus on stricter immigration enforcement could create what Dr. Rivers calls a “chilling effect.” Immigrants, especially those with uncertain legal statuses, may avoid seeking healthcare or enrolling their children in school due to fear of deportation. This could lead to reduced demand for language access in specific sectors.
At the same time, the industry’s foundations remain strong. Federal laws like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continue to mandate language access in healthcare, education, and public services. These laws can’t be overturned by Executive Order and would require an act of Congress.
Advocacy
The road ahead may be uncertain, but the language services industry is well-positioned to face the challenges and opportunities of a new administration.
Dr. Rivers stresses staying engaged in advocacy groups like the Association of Language Companies (ALC) and the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA). Together, we play a role in helping policymakers understand the importance of language access. Joining these organizations and participating in events like ALC’s Advocacy Day can amplify the industry’s voice in shaping future policies.
Looking Ahead for Language Access
With nearly 70 million Americans speaking a language other than English at home—a third of whom require language support—the need for professional interpreters and translators is as real as ever. Dr. Rivers emphasized, “The effective administration of public services and the profitable provision of healthcare depend on language access.”
Boostlingo supports more than 2,700 customers with communicating across language barriers every day. Whether you need guidance on creating a language access plan, staying informed about the latest language access policies, or exploring on-demand interpreting solutions for your organization, we’re here to help.